Living in Navy Yard, the Hottest Neighborhood in D.C.

For the past 200 years, the locals have never referred to the urban riverfront area, from southeast Washington to the South of Capitol Hill and North of the Anacostia River, as anything other than The Navy Yard. However, it was given the name of Capitol Riverfront by the neighborhood Business Improvement District, to make it more attractive to investors and developers. You will find that most businesses will refer to the area with the branded name of Capitol Waterfront.

The area is home to the Nationals Park baseball stadium and the Audi Field, located at Buzzard Point, since 2018. There are sports bars, beer gardens, and wineries nearby. It’s also great for exploring history dating back to the American Revolution at the National Museum of the U.S. Navy.

Location

The area is about 2 miles away from Capitol Hill and Eastern Market and about a mile away from the National Mall and Barracks’ Row. The Southwest Waterfront is about two and a half miles away.

Set along nearly two miles of the beautiful Anacostia River, this fast-growing neighborhood provides waterfront activities for all ages during the warmer months of the year.

What to do

The Navy Yard neighborhood has two large parks – Canal Park and Yards Park – as well as six other public parks. Navy Yard has both a residential and urban feel to it, which is unique.

Diamond Teague Park is a great spot for families to go catch-and-release fishing, and free fishing equipment is available.

You can cheer on two professional sports teams in Navy Yard, the championship Washington Nationals baseball team, and the local soccer team, D.C. United. Both have stadiums in the neighborhood.

The river offers an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family, kayaking or canoeing on rentals from the Ballpark Boathouse. Guided tours are offered by experienced guides, which are a great way for beginners to paddle around this historic area along the Anacostia.

There are many outdoor activities, including free outdoor movies, festivals, a Farmer’s Market to buy fresh produce. Free fitness classes are also offered in the neighborhood. There is so much to see and do within walking distance, including a variety of restaurants, microbreweries, and wineries.

Where to eat & drink

Dacha Beer Garden, which has the feel of the traditional Bavarian beer garden, is a local favorite. They offer options for the whole family and dogs are also welcome. Bluejacket Brewery is also very popular as well as District Winery.

 

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Erik Bruner-Yang’s restaurant, ABC Pony, offers interesting fusion Asian dishes.

 

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TaKorean, which was once a food truck operation in the area, sells Korean rice bowls and tacos and is a great option for takeout. Hatoba is great if you are into Japanese ramen noodles.

 

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There are many other options, including great pizza and burger options.

History

The Washington Navy Yard dates back to 1799 when it was established under the first Secretary of the Navy. It is the oldest U.S. Navy shore establishment, built on land George Washington has set aside for Federal Government use along the Anacostia River.

The Washington Navy Yard was both a shipyard and ordnance plant of the U.S. Navy and was in full operation until the end of the Second World War. It currently houses some Naval administration offices as well as the home of the Chief of Naval Operations.

About 20 years ago, the area was very polluted but underwent a major clean-up project to remove environmental contamination. Afterward, it quickly became an up-and-coming area with something for everyone, from sports fans to foodies to lovers of nature.

Real Estate Snapshot

Navy Yard has a population of about 33,000. They are middle to upper-income professionals with a median age of about 34. The price range for apartments for rent in Navy Yard is between $1,470 for a studio to over $6,500 for larger apartments.

Transportation

It’s a convenient location near Capitol Hill, and minutes away from the heart of the city. Those living in the area find that there are plenty of places to walk to, with the Navy Yard-Ballpark Station being right there, and the Capitol South Station less than a half a mile away, and Interstate 395 just a few minutes’ drive. There are many buses available, as well.

Many residents take advantage of Capital Bike Shares, which offers short-term passes bought at a kiosk or using an online app for getting around the city for short trips.

Schools and Employment

There are many options for school in the neighborhood. Van Ness Elementary School and Tyler Elementary School are highly regarded schools in the area. Eagle Academy PCS – New Jersey Avenue Campus is a charter school that boasts a great reputation.

Although there are a handful of Montessori schools in the areas, Fiore Montessori School and Cardinal Montessori School have the best reputations. Steve and Kate’s Camp is a popular choice of parents offering many activities for young children. Two top-rated universities, Georgetown and George Washington are not too far away, either.

The neighborhood is composed almost entirely of upper-middle-income individuals and families who work in the city.